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A  CRUISE  ON  THE  SASSACUS. 
By  Edgar  Holden. 


Harper's 
Nov. 1873. 


Library  of 
The  University  of  North  Carolina 


COLLECTION  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINIANA 


ENDOWED  BY 

JOHN  SPRUNT  HILL 

of  the  Class  of  1889 


Cf^To.lS-  \\  1^1 


:\2 


HARPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE.    .^JJ3 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "SASSACUS." 


THE  COLLISION. 


cs 

0. 


THE  most  inexplicable  interruption  of  plan 
and  changes  of  destination  attended  the 
outset  of  the  career  of  the  United  States  steamer 

S .     An  instance  of  this,  and  the  only  one 

of  sufficient  interest  to  merit  record,  resulted  in 
her  participation  in  a  week  of  events  most  inter- 
esting and  exciting. 

These  have  been  jotted  down,  for  though 
three  years  of  blockade  may  have  rendered  them 
not  unusual,  yet  their  minutiae  seem  rarely  to 
find  access  to  the  public  eye. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d  of  December,  'G3, 

the    S ■  left  Washington,    bound    for  New 

Orleans,  having  an  iron-clad  in  tow.  Fare- 
wells had  been  spoken,  and  the  departure  was 
looked  upon  as  the  beginning  of  a  long  cruise. 
There  were  the  usual  regrets  and  longing  glances 
cast  backward  toward  the  receding  city;  and 
neither  the  beauty  of  the  weather  nor  a  bracing, 
invigorating  breeze,  could  wholly  dispel  anxiety 
as  to  the  uncertain  future.  Toward  evening  the 
clouds  began  to  gather,  and  an  increasing  misti- 
ness of  the  atmosphere  gave  indications  of  a 
storm.  When  darkness  settled  down,  however, 
it  had  become  clearer,  and  the  full  moon  gave  a 
dim  outline  to  shore  and  water,  distinct  enough 
to  preclude  the  necessity  for  anchoring.  We 
were  sitting  after  supper  canvassing  our  pros- 
pects, and  arguing  upon  various  subjects — among 
other  things,  what  a  fine  time  we  should  have 
if,  by  accident,  we  should  run  ashore  and  the 
iron-clad  run  into  us. 


Various  experiences  were  given  to  show  the 
ease  with  which  such  a  monster  could  go  com- 
pletely through  a  wooden  ship,  the  great  mo- 
mentum, etc.,  and  an  argument  was  even  start- 
ed as  to  how  far  she  would  probably  get  into  the 
ward-room  before  we  could  get  out ;  as  to  the 
depth  of  water,  too,  the  width  of  the  river, 
and  various  interesting  concomitants  of  escape 
from  a  sinking  ship ;  when  suddenly,  as  if  a 
thunder-bolt  had  struck,  there  came  a  crash, 
a  heavy  lurch,  a  shiver  of  the  whole  ship — and, 
quicker  than  words  can  describe  it,  away  went 
chairs,  plates,  and  table,  and  every  one  vanished 
through  the  door  and  up  the  ladder.  Yet  not 
every  one  either,  for  a  ward-room  boy,  simul- 
taneously with  the  noise  and  concussion,  had 
tumbled  against  a  stancheon,  and,  in  spite  of 
the  emergency  and  apparently  imminent  peril, 
it  was  most  laughable  to  see  his  horror-stricken, 
despairing  countenance,  as,  with  eyes  turned 
upward,  round  and  white  as  saucers,  and  knees 
knocking  together,  he  ejaculated,  "Oh!  we're 
gone !"  On  deck  all  was  at  first  black  as  Erebus. 
There  was  running  hither  and  thither ;  cries  for 
help  from  the  water ;  flashing  of  lanterns  and 
loud  shouts  of  command.  The  fact  that  we 
were  still  afloat  was  at  once  apparent,  but  the 
probabilities  of  remaining  so  were  a  question. 
The  lights  of  the  iron-clad  showed  her  to  be  on 
our  quarter,  and  not  in  contact  with  us ;  but  a 
black  object,  like  a  phantom-ship,  under  full  sail. 
i  was  slowly  drifting  astern,  and  by  the  glimmer 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/cruiseonsassacusOOhold 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "SASSACUS." 


713 


uou!  we'ee  gone!" 

of  lights  on  her  deck  all  doubts  as  to  the  nature 
at  least  of  our  disaster  began  to  resolve.  Some- 
thing or  other  had  plainly  run  into  us,  and  it 
was  not  our  friend  the  iron-clad.  As  soon  as 
the  crash  of  collision  was  heard  her  engines  had 
been  stopped,  her  helm  put  hard  aport,  and  she 
had  sheered  off,  almost  grazing  our  quarter.  A 
boat  was  instantly  lowered  in  answer  to  the  cry 
for  help  which  had  appeared  to  come  from  the 
water,  as  well  as  to  render  assistance,  if  need 
be,  to  the  other  colliding  ship.  In  this  boat, 
with  the  sailing-master,  went  the  surgeon,  to 
look  out  for  those  who  might  perchance  be 
wounded.  Meantime,  by  the  aid  of  half  a  doz- 
en lights  and  considerable  trouble,  an  approxi- 
mate idea  of  our  own  injury  was  arrived  at. 

The  ship  had  struck  the  S forward  of  the 

wheel-house  on  the  port  side,  and  carried  away 
nearly  the  whole  of  it,  as  well  as  apparently  a 
part  of  the  wheel  itself.  But  more,  and  worse 
than  all,  five  or  six  men  were  missing.  The 
pumps  were  sounded  as  soon  as  possible,  with 
the  result  of  assuring  us  that  the  ship's  hull  was 
uninjured;  not  an  inch  of  water  was  making. 
As  quiet  was  now  restored,  the  first  thought  per- 
haps to  many  was  the  natural  one,  after  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  early  part  of  the  evening — "This 
is  the  end  of  this  cruise,  at  any  rate!"  The  next, 
and  more  humane  one,  was  of  anxiety  for  our 
poor  fellows  who  must  have  been  lost  overboard. 

As  one  boat's  crew  was  away,  the  names  and 
even  the  number  of  the  missing  ones  could  not 
at  once  be  ascertained ;  and  the  return  of  the 
absent  boat  was  awaited  with  deep  interest. 


Upon  boarding  the  other  vessel,  which  had 
soon  drifted  out  of  sight  in  the  darkness,  she 

was  found  to  be  the  W ,  a  brig  out  of  Boston, 

with  lumber,  bound  for  Washington.  Her  cap- 
tain was  found  in  a  state  of  great  nervous  trep- 
idation, either  from  imminent  danger  of  going 
down — as  he  at  once  said  his  ship  was  leaking 
— or  from  anticipation  of  being  severely  han- 
dled for  running  into  a  man-of-war.  Whatever 
may  have  been  the  cause,  he  shook  as  with  an 
ague.  We  soon  had  reason,  however,  to  form 
a  good  opinion  of  him  ;  for  though  having  but 
few  men,  and  knowing  his  own  ship  to  be  badly 
injured,  perhaps  sinking,  he  had  instantly  low- 
ered his  boat  as  the  same  cry  we  had  heard 
reached  his  ears,  and  had  succeeded  in  picking 
up  two  of  our  missing  men. 

These  two  had  been  found  together,  both 
wounded  by  the  wheel,  which  had  struck  them 
as  they  fell — one,  who  could  swim,  heroically 
holding  up  his  companion,  who  could  not,  till 
assistance  should  arrive.  The  injury  received 
by  the  brig  was  rather  severe,  and  amounted  to 
having  a  hole  stove  through  her  port  bow,  about 
ten  feet  in  length  by  three  or  four  in  breadth, 
smashing  several  bunks,  and  rather  unceremoni- 
ously dislodging  their  occupants.  In  this  nice 
little  aperture  were  stowed  about  a  dozen  square 
feet  of  our  iron  sheathing  and  a  good  part  of 
our  wheel  and  wheel-house.  Farther  aft  than 
this  were  a  few  other  evidences  of  collision  of  a 
similar  nature  as  well  as  torn  rigging,  dislodged 
lumber,  etc.  The  captain  and  mate,  upon  going 
below  with  our  officers,  surveyed  the  major  open- 
ing through  which  the  outside  darkness  was  vis- 
ible with  rueful  countenances,  but  of  course  de- 
nied any  fault  in  the  matter  on  their  part,  and 
even  talked  of  damages  of  another  nature  to  be 
recovered  by  a  court.  The  result  of  the  inves- 
tigation and  inquiry  was  a  conviction  that  the 

brig  had  been  recklessly  steered  across  the  S 's 

hawse  under  a  mistaken  idea  as  to  distance,  and 
suddenly,  when  too  late,  the  helm  had  been  put 
hard  down.  She  was  found  to  be  not  leaking 
badly,  and  was  therefore  left  with  no  misgivings 
as  to  her  sinking.  The  two  wounded  and  half- 
drowned  men  were  properly  cared  for  and  taken 

back  to  the  .S .    The  other  missing  men  were 

never  found  or  heard  of,  and  must  have  been 
killed  outright  by  our  powerful  wheels. 

It  was  impossible  of  course  for  us  now  to  pro- 
ceed, and  a  report  was  made  of  the  extent  of 
our  injury  to  the  commander  of  the  iron-clad. 
As  it  happened  a  commodore  was  on  board,  who 
gave  orders  for  us  to  return  to  Washington,  and 
took  the  responsibility  of  proceeding  in  the  iron- 
clad without  escort  to  Fortress  Monroe. 

Upon  that  accident  depended  the  events  to 
be  narrated,  for  the  circumstances  of  war  wait 
for  no  repairs,  and  another  ship  supplied  our 
place  at  New  Orleans.  Weeks  passed,  and  with 
completion  of  repairs  came  most  agreeable  or- 
ders for  a  cruise,  on  what  is  called  the  outer 
blockade,  a  sort  of  independent  search  for  block- 
ade-runners, any  where  between  two  or  more  de- 
fined points.     In  the  latter  part  of  January  we 


714 


HARPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


mm  1. 1>    !    <  I       ,riii iiiill'iifflf       -*^ 


EFFECT  OF  THE  COLLISION   ON    THE  BRIG. 


joined  the  North  Atlantic  Squadron,  and  at  Nor- 
folk completed  such  preparations  as  were  neces- 
sary for  the  cruise,  such  as  sending  down  top- 
masts and  crows'  nests,  and  lightening  ship  to 
some  extent  of  superfluous  ammunition. 

With  the  most  pleasing  confidence  in  the  un- 
surpassed speed  of  the  S it  will  surely  not 

be  wondered  at  that  every  day's  delay  seemed 
most  irksome.  We  were  anxious  to  try  her  to 
advantage  behind  the  swiftest  of  the  blockade- 
breakers,  and  when  upon  leaving  Norfolk  she 
tried  a  run  of  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  for  the 
benefit  of  the  admiral,  and  accomplished  the 
distance  at  the  rate  of  fourteen  and  a  half  knots 
an  hour,  the  eagerness  for  active  service  in- 
creased. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th  we  steamed  sea- 
ward. Does  any  one  whose  days  are  filled  with 
the  anxieties  of  business  or  the  allurements  of 
pleasure  ever  wonder  how  the  hours  pass  on  a 
cruiser,  where  the  monotony  of  the  most  routine 
of  all  routines  reigns  for  days  together?  The 
most  unimportant  and  trivial  subjects  excite  de- 
bate, the  most  worn  and  threadbare  remarks  on 
more  than  threadbare  past  events  spice  the  meals 
and  fill  up  the  chinks.  The  past  experience  of 
most  of  our  officers  afforded  vivid  examples  of 
such  a  life,  and  though  instead  of  an  inside 
blockade  we  were  to  try  now  for  the  first  time 
an  outside  and  freer  one,  yet  we  could  not  but 
anticipate  a  good  deal  more  of  the  same  sort  of 
monotony. 

Yet  we  were  destined  to  most  agreeable  dis- 
appointment.    Scarcely  were  twenty-four  hours 


passed  ere  a  sail  was  made  and  we  gave  chase. 
There  was  no  black  smoke  to  mark  her  as  a 
blockade-runner,  but  all  sails  were  to  be  over- 
hauled without  distinction.  It  proved  to  be 
merely  a  schooner  heavily  laden  but  having  cor- 
rect papers. 

Another  and  another  were  chased  with  the 
same  result,  then  a  steam  transport  filled  with 
our  own  soldiers,  and  the  next  day  several  craft 
of  various  description.  But  on  the  morning  of 
the  third  day  out,  having  arrived  upon  the  ap- 
pointed cruising  ground,  a  thin  curl  of  dark 
smoke  was  descried  upon  the  horizon. 

Down  went  the  helm,  around  came  the  ship's 
prow.  Four  bells  !*  and  we  were  off  for  the  an- 
ticipated prize.  The  wind  blew  freshly,  dead 
ahead,  and  the  white-capped  waves  tossed  their 
spray  over  our  bows,  but  so  low  were  we  in  the 
water  that  it  hindered  us  but  little.  An  hour 
passed  and  yet  another,  and  the  wheel-houses 
and  upper  deck  of  the  chase  were  above  the 
horizon.  The  distance  between  us,  at  first  about 
twelve  miles,  had  now  decreased  by  three,  but 
a  thin  mist  filled  the  atmosphere  and  was  slow- 
ly settling  upon  the  whole  sea.  Speculations 
as  to  whether  the  chase  were  a  prize  or  one  of 
our  own  steamers  had  been  all  along  rife,  but 
her  actions  began  to  convince  us.  Evidently  a 
swift  steamer,  the  foam  under  her  paddle-wheels, 
which  could  plainly  be  seen  by  a  glass,  as  well 
as  the  increased  volume  of  smoke  from  her  fires, 
evidenced  a  desire  to  escape.  Interest  increased, 
and  repeatedly  were  glasses  leveled  to  measure 


*  Ahead  fast — to  the  engineers. 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "  SASSACUS." 


715 


'i'UE  CHASE  TI1KOUGU   THE    FO(J. 


[he  advantage  we  were  gaining.  Impatience  at 
the  settling  fog  began  to  add  fears  that  she  might 
be  hidden  before  we  could  overtake  her.  While 
the  interest  was  the  warmest  and  impatience 
most  irritating,  and  the  fog  becoming  more  and 
more  dense,  some  part  of  our  machinery  began 
to  heat  and  the  wheels  to  move  more  slowly.  It 
was  most  provoking.  Oil  was  useless,  and  con- 
stant streams  of  cold  water  would  barely  allow 
a  moderate  rate  of  speed.  Fortunately  a  change 
of  course  on  the  part  of  the  chase,  by  altering 
the  effect  of  the  waves  upon  us,  relieved  the  strain 
upon  the  heating  parts,  and  again  we  were  un- 
der full  headway.  Still  gaining  slowly  but  stead- 
ily upon  it,  the  dim  mass  ahead  loomed  up  to 
us  through  the  fog. 

A  heavier  bank  than  usual  had  accumulated 
upon  her  port  side,  and  suddenly  changing  her 
course  full  three  points,  she  plunged  into  it  out 
of  sight.  This  manoeuvre  seemed  to  settle  all 
doubts  as  to  her  loyalty,  but  to  increase  those 
of  her  capture. 

Still  we  kept  the  same  course,  reasoning,  as 
it  proved  correctly,  that  once  in  the  fog  she 
would  resume  her  original  course,  and  trust  to 
our  having  changed  when  she  did.  In  less  than 
five  minutes  the  fog  thinned,  and  there  she  was, 
still  ahead,  though  a  little  on  our  port  bow,  but 
nearer. 

It  was  estimated  that  now  hardly'three  miles 
were  between  us,  and  at  half  past  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  a  100-ponnder  Parrott  rifle 
was  trained  on  her,  and  a  shot  fell  just  outside 
the  foam  of  her  wheels.  Not  a  signal  was  shown, 
nor  a  sign  of  slackening  speed  returned,  and  in 
ten  minutes  the  order  was  given,  "  Fire  to  hit." 
Another  shot  was  fired,  and  anxiously  we  watch- 


ed it,  a  little  black  speck  in  the  air,  as,  splen- 
didly in  line,  it  struck  apparently  into  her  quar- 
ter. Colors  were  now  flown  from  her  peak,  but 
the  mist  was  too  thick  to  enable  us  to  read  them, 
and  still  she  kept  her  speed.  Another  shot  and 
another  whistled  after  her,  and  a  flash  from  one 
of  her  stern  guns  sent  back  reply.  Interest  had 
now  become  excitement;  every  pound  of  steam 
was  crowded  on  to  urge  us  forward.  The  gong 
sounded  to  quarters.  Our  whole  battery  was 
cleared  for  action,  and  every  preparation  made 
for  the  fight. 

Was  it  the  Alabama  or  Florida?  What  a 
chance  for  distinction  to  overtake  and  capture 
one  of  those  noted  pirates!  The  distance  now 
rapidly  diminished,  and  firing  ceased;  not  a 
sound  save  the  plashing  wheels  and  rushing  wa- 
ters broke  the  stillness.  Eagerness  for  the  fignt 
yet  anxiety  as  to  its  result  filled  every  heart. 
We  were  prepared  for  no  disappointment  aside 
from  those  of  battle;  and  when  we  neared  and 
could  distinguish  every  part  of  the  chase,  and 
read  the  r:mbers  still  flying  at  her  peak,  and 
comparing  their  interpretation  with  the  appear- 
ance of  the  ship,  be  convinced  that  it  was  in- 
deed one  of  our  own  steamers,  imagination  can 
alone  conceive  the  change  in  the  mind  of  all 
from  excitement  to  indignation. 

It  would  be  as  impolitic  as  useless  to  add 
more:  we  turned  about  and  steamed  again  for 
our  station.  Weeks  afterward  we  heard  from 
those  who  were  on  board  that  steamer  that  the 
reasons  for  her  not  having  come  to  after  the  first 
fire  were  considerably  at  variance.  One  story 
was  that  we  were  taken  for  a  new  Anglo-Rebel 
ram  that  was  expected ;  another,  that  the  cap- 
tain was  in  great  haste. 


716 


HAKPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


BLOCKADE-EDNNEE   "WILD  DAYEELL"    ASD.OEE. 


Whatever  may  hare  been  the  reason  it  re- 
sulted in  drawing  the  5 ■  from  her  station, 

so  that  on  her  return,  at  about  dawn  of  day,  an- 
other but  thicker  and  blacker  smoke  was  in 
sight,  in  toward  the  shore,  about  off  Stamp  In- 
let. Not  only  this,  but  a  long,  low  hull,  with 
raking  masts  and  smoke-stack,  lay  below  the 
smoke  full  in  sight.     Swiftly,  like  a  hawk  on 

its  prey,  the  S sped  toward  her.     Scarcely 

six  miles  away,  clearly  visible  as  she  was  to  us, 
almost,  indeed,  within  range  of  our  guns,  yet 
she  tried  to  escape.  Too  close,  however,  in- 
shore, under  which  her  pilot  had  attempted  to 
crawl  along  in  the  dusk  past  the  innermost 
bfockaders,  she  struck,  and  even  then  the  ut- 
most efforts  were  quickly  made  to  save  her.  A 
kedge  was  led  out  from  her  quarter,  bales  on 
bales  of  goods  were  thrown  overboard  with  al- 
most incredible  rapidity,  but  they  had  miscalcu- 
lated our  speed  and  draught.  Ere  more  than 
the  first  effort  could  be  made  we  were  within 
range,  and  a  shot  whistled  over  their  heads. 
Helter-skelter  ran  every  one  for  the  boats,  and 
leaving  every  thing  as  it  stood,  with  the  engines 
still  moving,  they  fled  precipitately.  A  nar- 
row creek  led  inland,  and  with  all  dispatch  they 
pulled  up  into  it  and  disappeared.  One  or  two 
shots  from  a  rifled  howitzer  were  fired  ahead  of 
the  flying  boats;  but  no  heed  was  given,  and  so 
short  was  the  time  ere-  a  bend  in  the  creek  had 
hidden  them  from  view  that  a  more  effective 
and  telling  reminder  could  not  be  sent.  The 
surf  dashed  against  her  sides  and  at  times  com- 
pletely washed  her  decks.      Clouds  of  smoke 


and  steam  poured  from  her,  mingling  with  the 
spray.  It  seemed  certain  that  the  rebels  must 
have  set  her  on  fire,  great  as  was  their  haste. 
Quick  were  the  willing  hands  that  lowered  our 
boats  almost  before  the  anchor  touched  the 
bottom,  but  it  was  a  perilous  task  to  attempt 
through  such  a  line  of  surf  to  pull  boats  never 
built  or  intended  for  the  work.  The  wind  was 
blowing  freshly,  and  every  moment  seemed  to 
increase  the  swell  and  break  of  the  waves  around 
and  over  the  stranded  ship.  Nor  was  this  all. 
Even  were  the  ship  itself  not  on  fire,  we  knew 
full  well  that  every  inflammable  substance  had 
been  thrown  under  her  boilers  to  increase  her 
steam,  and  the  clouds  arising  from  her  looked 
ominous. 

Every  moment  increased  the  probability  of 
her  blowing  up,  especially  as  the  blockade-run- 
ners have  an  unpleasant  habit  of  fastening  down 
the  safety-valves  and  putting  on  the  blowers  at 
the  moment  of  abandoning  the  ship.  Every  in- 
stant was  precious,  and  without  a  moment's  hesi- 
tation at  the  danger  of  surf  or  steam,  the  boats 
were  away  and  rolling  among  the  breakers  ere 
the  last  shot  fired  over  the  retreating  rebels  fell 
in  the  water  beyond  them. 

Bravely  the  boats  passed  the  first  breakers, 
and  soon  tossing  against  the  prize,  one  and  an- 
other scrambled  from  them  up  the  ship's  side. 
The  first  thought  and  attention  was  given  to  the 
engines  and  boilers.  The  safety-valve  was  found 
so  securely  fastened  that  the  most  vigorous  ef- 
forts failed  to  relieve  it.  One  may  only  imagine 
the  sensations  of  those  who  were  thus  so  in  verv 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "  SASSACUS.' 


717 


contact  with  destruction,  uncertain  whether  one, 
two,  or  three  minutes  might  not  end  all  in  one 
complete  and  terrible  explosion.  While  ready 
hands  were  thus  busy  above  the  boilers,  others 
below  were  hauling  the  furious  fires  or  drench- 
ing them  with  water.  The  peril  was  imminent 
beyond  expression.  Again  and  again  did  the 
brave  men  apply  themselves  to  the  resisting 
valve  till  delay,  though  only  measured  by  sec- 
onds, was  more  than  reckless.  Yet  soon  suc- 
cess rewarded  exertion,  and  a  scream  of  escap- 
ing steam  relieved  the  tremendous  pressure  that 
had  been  accumulating. 

The  ship  was  not  on  fire,  though  it  was  evi- 
dently no  fault  of  her  former  crew ;  for  matches, 
signal-lights,  and  all  sorts  of  inflammable  ma- 
terials hastily  piled  together,  but  more  hastily 
abandoned,  declared  their  intention.  Yet,  after 
all,  fire  would  have  given  little  trouble,  for  al- 
most every  part  of  the  ship  from  keel  to  pilot- 
house was  of  iron.  She  was  in  most  filthy  con- 
dition. Paint  had  long  since  given  place  to 
whitewash,  and  whitewash  to  the  effects  of 
wind  and  rain.  Heavy  cases  of  goods  from 
firms  in  New  York,  and  of  shoes  marked  as 
from  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  were  lying  about  the 
deck,  or  lifted  half  upon  the  rail  in  the  attempt 
so  hurriedly  made  to  lighten  ship.  In  the  hold 
bales  of  dry  goods  were  still  swinging  from  the 
whips ;  while  in  the  cabin  all  sorts  of  articles  of 
toilet  or  apparel,  hastily  emptied  trunks  and 
valises,  bottles  and  glasses,  were  strewn  about 
the  floor.  Her  log-book  showed  her  to  be  the 
Wild  Dayrcll,  of  whose  speed  and -successful 
trips  to  the  Confederacy  the  public  had  often 
heard. 

She  was  three  days  out  of  Nassau,  and  sev- 


eral times  before  had  been  chased  by  our  cruis- 
ers, but  had  proved  too  fast  for  them. 

Her  lading  was  merchandise  of  every  descrip- 
tion, bushels  of  oranges  and  barrels  of  liquor. 

The  kedge,  before  spoken  of  as  led  out  from 
her  quarter,  was  found  to  have  had  a  strong  but 
light  cable  attached,  and  led  to  the  shaft  around 
which  the  motion  of  the  engine  had  tightly 
wound  it.  All  danger  from  fire  or  steam  dis- 
posed of,  attention  was  turned  to  continuing  the 
laudable  exertions  of  her  former  occupants.  The 
tide  seemed  unfortunately  to  be  falling;  for 
though  the  surf  was  still  as  heavy,  yet  bare  hill- 
ocks of  sand  began  to  appear  in  dangerous  prox- 
imity to   the  .S ■  herself.      To   get   ashore 

would  have  been  almost  to  insure  destruction ; 
for  every  one  knew  that  in  twenty-four  hours 
the  rebels  would  have  soldiers  or  a  battery  down 
upon  the  beach ;  and  while  they  might  at  first 
prove  little  more  than  an  annoyance,  proper  ex- 
ertions for  getting  again  afloat  would  be  serious- 
ly  interfered  with.     Prudently,   therefore,   the 

S retired  a  little  further  from  the  shoals, 

and  again  anchored  to  await  the  return  tide. 
Meantime  a  strong  hawser  was  made  ready  and 
men  set  to  the  task  of  lightening  the  prize,  be- 
ginning with  the  coal  which  almost  filled  her 
bunkers.  Most  unfortunately,  as  is  well  known, 
i  a  strong  penchant  exists  in  a  Jack  Tar  for 
whisky,  and,  as  is  also  pretty  generally  known, 
he  usually  manages  to  get  it  by  hook  or  crook 
if  ever  placed  in  its  vicinity ;  the  utmost  vigi- 
lance, moreover,  is  hardly  ever  able  to  avert 
such  an  issue.  There  was  no  exception  in  this 
case.  The  most  trusty  men  were  sent  below  to 
stave  in  every  barrel,  jug,  and  jar  of  intoxicating 
liquor,  and  guards  were  stationed  over  them  ; 


TCE  CABIN  OF  TIIE   "  WTLD  DAYBELL. 


718 


HARPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


but  tlie  men  seemed  to  get  drunk  from  the 
fumes,  and  as  the  guards  were  also  soon  drunk, 
it  is  fair  to  suppose  they  were  drunk  from  sym- 
pathy. 

The  coal  came  up  slowly.  Those  who  hauled 
on  the  end  of  the  rope  somehow  always  worked 
under  the  lee  of  a  bulk-head  or  wheel-house, 
and  there  seemed  a  tendency  of  the  whole  line 
toward  the  same  point ;  so  that  the  aftermost 
man  gave  place  at  almost  every  second  pull, 
and  came  up  to  the  head  of  the  line.  In  fact, 
the  strong  smell  of  whisky  soon  began  to  direct 
unmistakable  suspicion  toward  the  vicinity,  and, 
in  a  word,  so  many  men  were  getting  under  the 
influence  of  liquor  that  the  officers  were  obliged 
to  get  them  into  the  boats  and  abandon  work. 

With  the  rise  of  the  tide  another  boat  put  off 

from  the  5 ,  with  a  hawser.     It  was  safely 

carried  through  the  breakers  and  made  fast  to 
the  bow  of  the  prize. 

Meantime,  as  might  have  been  expected, 
one  of  the  return  boats,  with  her  hilarious  crew, 
in  attempting  to  pass  the  surf  was  nearly  cap- 
sized and  grounded,  tumbling  about  half  a 
dozen  men  overboard.  This  cold  bath  was  most 
beneficial ;  they  were  so  far  sobered  as  very  sens- 
ibly to  stay  overboard  and  lay  hold  of  the  boat 
and  haul  it  into  deeper  water. 

When  all  was  ready  on  the  ships,  and  the 
tide  nearly  at  its  height,  both  engines  were 
started,  the  hawser  tautened,  the  prize  yielded 
slowly,  very  slowly — stopped  again,  then  stuck 
fast,  one  long,  strong  pull  and  snap !  the  cable 
parted  in  the  hawse-hole. 

The  transfer  of  a  cable  under  such  circum- 
stances is  no  easy  matter,  nor  is  it  one  of  a  few 
moments,  and  ere  another  could  be  made  ready 
the  tide  was  falling.  Nothing  could  therefore 
be  done  save  to  wait  another  tide,  and  mean- 
time renewed  efforts  were  made  to  get  the  coal 
out.  After  the  precaution  taken  to  destroy  all 
liquors  the  work  was  expected  to  proceed  more 
successfully. 

The  wind  increased  in  freshness  as  dusk  be- 
gan to  close  around,  and  it  required  considera- 
ble nerve  to  look  calmly  upon  the  shoals  so  near 
us  and  hear  their  sullen  roar,  beating  as  they 
were  upon  an  enemy's  coast.  Yet  every  thing 
was  kept  in  readiness  for  getting  underway  if 
the  wind  should  increase  too  dangerously.  All 
boats  were  recalled,  and  no  one  remained  upon 
the  prize.  The  work  on  board  of  her  had  pro- 
ceeded more  successfully  than  before,  and  near- 
ly all  the  coal '  had  been  thrown  overboard. 
About  midnight  the  hawser  was  again  taut- 
ened, and  though  only  the  stars  furnished  their 

feeble  light,  the  S was  tasked  her  utmost 

to  haul  that  ship  from  the  strand.  Again  the 
hawser  broke  and  the  effort  was  given  up. 
Lights  now  appeared  on  the  shove,  and  back 
among  the  trees  several  could  be  seen  moving 
hither  and  thither.  Morning  would  probably 
bring  the  rebels  upon  us,  and  it  was  almost  re- 
gretted that  the  steamer  had  not  been  at  once 
destroyed.  Morning  brought  no  change,  how- 
ever, save  that  the  Wild  Dni/re/l  was  two  hun- 


dred feet  farther  on  the  beach.  As  the  weather 
was  clear  and  beautiful,  and  no  special  neces- 
sity apparent  for  leaving,  a  third  trial  was  re- 
solved upon. 

In  accordance  with  this  determination  boats 
and  crews  were  made  ready  as  before,  when  an- 
other actor  appeared  in  the  drama.  A  sail  was 
made  out  approaching  from  the  direction  of  the 
Wilmington  fleet. 

It  proved  to  be  the  F man-of-war.     She 

came  up,  and  anchored. 

Assistance  was  volunteered,  and  almost  at  the 
same  moment  four  boats  loaded  with  men  and 
officers  put  off  from  her  for  the  prize.     The 

men  from  the  S were  already  hard  at  work 

hoisting  coal,  tumbling  heavy  barrels,  etc., 
over  the  side,  guards  being  as  before  stationed 
over  all  goods  of  value,  the  cabin,  and  its  stores. 
Without  any  ceremony,  or  so  much  as  "  by 
your  leave,"  all  orders  were  broken  down,  and 
like  freebooters  the  new-comers  began  lighten- 
ing ship  in  a  very  different  manner  from  the 
first  design.  Had  the  commander  of  the  stran- 
ger not  made  his  appearance  on  the  scene  at 
this  moment  blood  would  have  followed. 

Fighting  is  too  nearly  allied  to  displeasure  in 
a  sailor's  mind  to  allow  much  of  an  interval  be- 
tween a  word  and  a  blow,  and  even  the  pres- 
ence of  the  commanding  officer  hardly  restored 
order. 

He,  being  senior  to  the  captain  of  the  5 , 

gave  orders  to  desist  from  work,  as  it  was  now 
apparent  upon  sounding  about  her  that  she  never 
would  float  again.  Orders  were  also  added  to 
save  whatever  provisions  were  needed  by  the 
crews  of  either  vessel,  but  to  take  provisions 
only. 

In  about  two  hours  goods  apparently  most 
bulky  had  entirely  melted  away.  However 
comprehensive  the  word  "  provisions"  may  be 
the  large  proportion  of  articles  which  thus  dis- 
appeared could  hardly  be  included. 

It  was  most  fortunate  that  not  a  demijohn  of 
liquor  remained  after  the  destruction  of  the 
morning,  or  authority,  and  even  force,  would 
have  been  of  no  avail  to  control  so  many. 

As  it  was,  however,  all  went  along  pretty 
smoothly  for  nearly  half  an  hour,  till  suddenly 
the  sharp  crack  of  rifles,  and  the  whiz  of  a  score 
of  bullets  overhead,  hurried  every  body  in  prep- 
aration for  the  destruction.  The  blue  lights 
and  matches  were  this  time  more  effectually 
piled  together,  and  every  part  of  the  ship  in- 
sured for  complete  and  simultaneous  combus- 
tion. 

Then  came  the  gauntlet  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
along  the  beach,  from  which  the  firing  was  now 
pretty  constant.  The  wind  was  blowing  direct- 
ly on  shore,  and  as  nothing  but  muskets  had 
yet  been  fired  at  us  the  sound  seemed  not  to 

have  reached  the  S .     The  bullets  whistled 

overhead,  into  the  boat's  sides,  among  the  oars, 
and  through  hats  and  coats,  but  not  a  man  had 
yet  fallen.  Sturdily  the  men  lay  to  the  oars 
till  the  boat  fairly  flew.  It  seemed  utterly  im- 
possible to  reach  the  ship  without  the  loss  of 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "SASSACUS." 


719 


reached,  and  with 
its  earliest  glimmer 
"Sail,  ho!"  was 
shouted  from  the 
mast-head. 

A  thin,  black 
smoke  just  dimmed 
the  verge  of  the  hori- 
zon, and  again  four 
bells  started  the  S — 
in  pursuit. 

Rapidly  at  first,  be- 
cause not  yet  our- 
selves discovered,  we 
gained  upon  the 
stranger,  till  just  as 
the  hull  was  becom- 
ing dimly  visible,  she 
seemed  to  spy  us,  and 
for  an  hour  not  a  rod 
appeared  to  have  as 
mauy  men,  and  in  spite  of  the  peril  of  the  situ-  yet  been  gained  by  the  pursuer, 
ation  we  could  not  but  feel  a  sort  of  contempt  The  smoke  became  thicker  and  blacker,  and 
for  such  poor  marksmen.  But  now  they  have  bad  her  name  been  written  in  gigantic  letters 
seen  from  the  ship  the  little  curls  of  smoke  out  :  npon  the  cloud  it  could  not  have  rendered  more 
of  the  bushes,  and  an  admonition  to  the  rebels  certain  the  character  of  the  chase.  The  sea 
to  retire  is  hurled  from  the  hurricane  deck —  !  was  smooth  as  a  mill-pond,  and  only  a  gentle 


ATTACKED   BY   SHARP-SHOOTERS. 


one,  two,  three  howitzer  shells  burst  over  or  in 
the  infested  shelter ;  and  now  not  a  marksman 
can  be  seen  along  the  shore.  The  curling 
tongues  of  flame  that  now  shot  out  from  the 
decks  of  the  Wild  Da;/rell  showed  that  the  torch 
had  been  faithfully  applied ;  clouds  of  lurid 
smoke  poured  from  the  holds,  and  enveloped 
the  whole  of  her  light  masts,  sails,  and  rig- 
ging 


wind  blew  over  its  unruffled  surface. 

It  was  splendid  weather  for  speed,  and  pur- 
suer and  pursued  made  the  very  most  of  it. 
Mile  after  mile,  hour  after  hour,  the  chase  kept 
on.  The  same  difficulty  with  heating  machin- 
ery occurred  as  before,  and  the  same  means  were 
tried  to  obviate  it. 

More  and  more  distinct  grew  the  stranger, 
though  scarcely  a  mile  an  hour  diminished  the 
distance  between   us.     The  white  foam  could 


To  insure  complete  ruin  of  her  engines,  and 
to  preclude,  the  remote  possibility  of  her  ever  j  be  faintly  distinguished  under  her  paddle-wheels 
serving  again  either  her  owners  or  the  rebels,  at  the  end  of  the  sixth  hour,  but  gradually,  as 
both  the  S and  /•' took  position,  and    if  to  run  for  some  port,  she  had  changed  her 


shot  after  shot  was  fired  through  the  iron  hu! 
Bursting  shells  soon  tore  immense  holes  in  bows 
and  stern,  or  threw  masses  of  shattered  deck 
and  cargo  high  into  the  air. 

In  three  hours  the  anticipated  prize  lay  upon 
the  beach  a  complete  wreck. 

Ere  the  night  came  again  we  were  off  for  our 
outer  station  ;  but  hours  after  dark  the  red  light 
from  the  still  smouldering  fire  marked  to  us  the 
spot  we  had  left. 

Subsequently  we  learned  that  the  F ,  hav- 
ing lain  at  anchor  until  the  following  morning, 
was  attacked  from  the  shore  by  the  rebels,  who 
had  brought  down  a  light  battery. 

Several  holes  through  various  parts  of  the 
ship,  and  several  killed  and  wounded,  attested 
their  superior  skill  over  the  misnamed  sharp- 
shooters who  had  fired  upon  the  boats.  It  was 
now  the  sixth  day  out,  and  though  at  starting 
the  prospect  of  finding  any  blockade-runners 
seemed  limited,  yet  the  whole  time,  thus  far, 
had  been  filled  with  the  excitement  of  chase. 
Every  one  was  willing,  therefore,  to  prophesy 
that  not  another  one  would  be  se'en  for  a  month, 
and  it  seemed  very  probable. 

By  dawn  of  day  our   cruising  ground   was 


course  shoreward,  and  unless  greater  speed  could 
be  attained  might  yet  escape  or  be  stranded  and 
destroyed.  Every  fire  was  cleaned,  and  every 
pound  of  steam  that  the  boilers  would  bear  was 
crowded  on.  We  were  now  moving  at  the  rate 
of  sixteen  miles   an  hour.      The  smoke-stack 


THE   ADMONITION. 


720 


HARPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


7  t^\i:'^m- 


TUEY  RUN  HER  ASUORE,  6ET  HEK  ON  FIRE,  AND  E80APED. 


was  gradually  turning  brown  from  the  heat,  and 
flakes  of  paint  peeled  off  and  fell  upon  the  deck. 
So  intensely  hot  did  it  become  that  one  could 
not  stand  within  six  feet  of  it,  and  men  were 
stationed  with  hose  and  buckets  of  water  in  or- 
der to  quench  the  first  appearance  of  flame  in 
the  deck  through  which  it  passed.  Bales  of 
goods  began  to  float  past  us.  They  were  light- 
ening ship.  "  Land,  ho  !"  came  from  the  mast- 
head look-out,  and  far  away  a  low  dark  border 
to  the  horizon  could  be  seen  with  a  glass.  Oh 
for  ten  miles  more  sea-room  or  another  revolu- 
tion of  our  wheels !  Yet,  after  all,  she  will  be 
overtaken  ere  she  can  reach  the  shore ;  for  the 
distance  is  now  barely  three  miles  between  us, 
and  there  are  yet  twelve  miles  to  run.  There 
was  no  time  for  a  mathematical  calculation  as 
to  how  likely  a  steamer  gaining  on  another 
scarcely  two  miles  an  hour,  and  both  moving 
at  such  speed,  would  be  to  overtake  her  in  a 
run  of  twelve  miles ;  there  seemed  no  time  for 
any  thing  in  the  excitement  of  the  chase,  though 
the  very  minutes  appeared  hours.  The  shore 
grew  bolder  and  plainly  visible  even  without  a 
glass. 

The  100-pounder  rifle  could  carry  a  message, 
and  it  was  called  in  requisition  for  the  purpose. 
A  shell  was  fired.  It  rose  high  in  the  air,  and, 
like  a  speck,  could  be  seen  on  its  course  till  a 
little  puff  of  smoke  took  its  place  directly  over 
the  flying  vessel.  No  notice  was  taken  save 
apparently  to  hasten  her  flight.  Another  fol- 
lowed, and  another  swept  her  decks;  but  the 
running  hither  and  yon  of  the  excited  crew 
and  the  cool  indifference  of  the  ninn  at  her 
wheel  were  the  onlv  results. 


It  was  now  evident  that  she  would  succeed 
in  stranding,  and  most  probably  be  set  on  fire. 
The  water  was  shoaling  rapidly,  and  the  leads- 
man's song  changed  at  every  cast  of  the  lead, 
till  "by  the  mark  five" had  become  "deep  four," 
and  it  was  time  to  slacken  speed.  Another  cast 
of  the  lead,  and  "  by  the  mark  three"  gave  new- 
cause  for  anxiet}\  "Stop her!"  "Back her!" 
were  the  orders  of  almost  the  same  breath ;  but 
the  cast  still  gave  three  fathoms. 

The  chase  struck  hard  and  strong  ahead  of 
us,  going  at  full  speed.  Simultaneous  with  the 
shock  her  boats,  full  of  men,  touched  the  break- 
ers, and  one  capsized.  Without  regard  for  the 
men  struggling  in  the  water,  the  other  boats 
pulled  swiftly  through  the  surf  and  up  one  of 
the  numerous  inlets  which  cut  the  coast,  and 
across  which,  fortunately  for  them,  the  ship  had 

stranded.      The  S 's  boats,  fully  manned 

and  armed,  were  also  in  the  water  ere  the  last 
man  had  left  the  prize's  decks.  Yet  before  the 
intervening  space  could  be  crossed  the  catastro- 
phe we  had  feared  was  come  about.  A  dozen 
streams  of  smoke  were  beginning  to  creep  lazily 
upward  from  different  parts  of  the  ship,  and  ev- 
ery moment  increased  in  volume.  She  was  on 
(ire.  The  former  experience  with  the  safety- 
valve  of  the  Wild  Dayrell  rendered  a  similar 
hazardous  exposure  more  to  be  dreaded ;  espe- 
cially since  a  tremendous  pressure  of  steam  was 
evidenced  by  the  almost  incredible  velocity  of 
her  revolving  wheels,  as  well  as  the  complete 
absence  of  any  appearance  of  steam  above  decks. 
Yet  not  a  moment  was  given  to  hesitation.  As 
the  first  boat  touched  the  ship's  side  officers  and 
men  jumped  aboard.     Meantime  another  boat 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "SASSACTJS." 


721 


Att  THE  BOAT  TOUCHED  THEY  JUMPED  ABOAED. 


had  pat  off  from  the  S to  rescue,  if  possi- 
ble, those  who  were  still  struggling  among  the 
breakers. 

The  utmost  exertions,  and  a  venturing  close 
upon  the  reef  although  the  boat  was  most  un- 
suited  to  any  such  work,  were  unsuccessful  in 
rescuing  more  than  one  man. 

He,  who  proved  to  have  been  the  purser  of 
the  ship,  was  found  clinging  to  the  capsized 
boat,  and  had  the  additional  advantage  of  a 
life-preserver  round  his  body.  Sick  and  al- 
most dead  from  exhaustion  and  swallowing  so 
much  salt-water,  he  was  hauled  on  board  the 

S ■  and  reserved  for  future  use.     Arrived  on 

the  deck  of  the  burning 
steamer  the  first  thought 
and  effort  was  directed 
toward  the  engine-room, 
and  in  a  moment  more 
the  escaping  steam  re- 
lieved all  anxiety  from 
that  quarter.  The  next 
and  perhaps  simultaneous 
one  was  for  the  fire. 
Tarpaulins  were  covered 
over  every  hatch,  and 
the  ship's  buckets,  quick- 
ly found,  were  soon  em- 
ployed to  ponr  a  con- 
stant stream  of  water  npon 
them.  This  was  not 
enough,  the  blackness  of 
the  smoke,  and  the 
strong  odor  of  turpentine, 

Vol.  XXIX.— No.  17-t.— 3B 


I  showed  that  it  was  no  ordinary  fire  raging  be- 

j  low.  A  small  fire-engine  was  sent  from  the 
S ,  and  for  several  minutes  the  progress  of 

i  the   workers   was   viewed   with   deep    interest. 

I  The  smoke  seemed  to  grow  still  blacker,  and 
red  tongues  of  flame  came  at  intervals  from  the 
crevices  to  mingle  with  it.  Every  moment  in- 
creased the  peril,  for  traces  of  ammunition  on 
deck  showed  what  might  be  the  character  of  the 
cargo  below,  and  the  thought  that  a  single  spark 
in  the  magazine  might  at  any  instant  blow  ship 
and  men  to  atoms  made  the  blood  run  cold. 
This  increase  of  flame,  however,  was  but  the  last 
flaring  of  the  candle,  and  very  soon  scarcely  a 


THE    l'lEBI-.U. 


722 


HARPER'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


PUTTING  ODT  THE  FIRE. 


trace  of  smoke  or  fire  rose  from  the  deck.  The 
water  was  rising  every  moment,  and  the  most 
sanguine  hopes  were  entertained  of  getting  the 
ship  again  afloat.  A  hawser  was  led  from  the 
S to  her,  and  the  short  interval  before  high- 
tide  was  filled  up  with  soundings  and  prepara- 
tion for  a  long  strong  pull.  The  steamer  proved 
to  be  the  Nuffield,  perfectly  new,  and,  as  her  pa- 
pers showed,  laden  with  arms  and  stores  for  the 
Confederate  Government.  She  had  been  chased 
the  day  before,  and  escaped  only  to  find  herself 
at  night  in  the  very  midst  of  the  inside  block- 
aders  off  Wilmington.  Eluding  these  and  again 
putting  straight  to  sea,  daylight  had  brought  her 
within  range  of  our  watchful  look-outs,  and  the 
result  was  before  us.  In  a  short  time  various 
points  in  the  deck  were  found  to  be  getting  hot, 
and  an  ominous  hollow  sound  under  the  foot- 
steps indicated  the  activity  of  the  flames  below. 
Holes  were  cut  where  the  deck  was  hottest,  and 
streams  of  water  poured  down  with  the  little  fire- 
engine  before  mentioned.  In  the  cabin  of  the 
prize,  which  was  most  luxuriantly  furnished, 
stood  the  breakfast-table  hastily  abandoned.  A 
lavish  expenditure  of  turpentine  had  soaked 
every  thing  both  of  food  and  furniture,  but  the 
fire  had  fortunately  failed  to  take,  and  nothing 
appeared  injured.  The  same  profusion  of  wear- 
ing apparel  was  strewn  about  the  cabin  as  on  the 
Wild  Dayrell,  and  the  same  evidence  of  hasty 
abandonment  were  visible  in  the  state-rooms. 
It  was,  however,  now  high-tide,  and  inspection 
of  cabin  and  cargo  was  changed  for  active  exer- 
tion to  save  the  ship. 


The  engines  of  both  steamers  were  started, 
the  cable  tautened,  the  prize  moved,  and  a  cheer 
was  given  as  she  seemed  to  be  afloat,  but  the 
wind,  which  had  increased,  was  rapidly  forcing 

the  S over  upon  a  neighboring  shoal,  and 

with  a  terrible  shock  she  struck. 

Quick  as  lightning  the  cable  was  cnt,  and  just 
in  time  the  powerful  wheels  launched  the  ship 
ahead  upon  the  swell,  and  once  more  in  deeper 
water.  It  was  over,  and  every  one  breathed 
freer.  There  was  no  alternative  now  but  to 
wait  once  more  for  the  tide,  and  fill  the  interval 
by  lightening  the  beached  ship  of  part  of  her 
cargo.  Cases  of  muskets,  rifles,  and  swords 
were  passed  tip  from  the  after  hold,  where  alone 
the  fire  had  been  entirely  quelled,  and  being  too 
valuable  to  be  thrown  overboard  were  transferred 

to  the  hold  of  the  S .     About  forty  cases 

had  been  started  before  night  came,  so  that  upon 
the  midnight  tide  hopes  were  entertained  that 
she  might  be  made  to  float.  Another  hawser 
was  stretched  before  dusk,  and  every  thing  made 
ready,  but  fortune  seemed  against  us.  The  tide 
rose,  the  engines  were  started,  the  cable  tautened, 
strained,  and  broke.  It  was  provoking ;  but  it 
was  determined  on  the  following  day  to  endeavor 
at  least  to  save  part  of  the  most  valuable  cargo. 
In  accordance  with  this  plan  men  were  set  to 
work  at  daylight.  Cases  of  needles,  hardware 
of  every  sort,  saddles,  bridles,  gun-tackles,  ma- 
chinery in  order  and  out  of  order,  writing  paper 
in  bales  upon  bales,  dry  goods,  and  fancy  articles, 
were  piled  in  one  solid  mass  from  upper  deck  to 
kelson. 


A  CRUISE  ON  THE  "SASSACUS." 


723 


CABIN   OF  TIJE    "NUFFIELD.1 


It  was  found  advisable  to  save  the  arms  in 
preference  to  all  else;  and  while  the  work  was 
going  on  various  were  the  exclamations  of  con- 
gratulation at  having  within  three  days  stranded 
two  swift  blockade-runners,  and  not  a  few  that 

f.he  F ,  which  had  interfered  before,  must  now 

be  far  away,  when  lo!  a  steamer  rapidly  ap- 
proached. Itwasshe!  Consternation  and  anx- 
iety lest  the  former  scenes  should  be  repeated 

rendered  the  instant  order  from  the  S to 

burn  the  prize  a  most  agreeable  one.  It  seemed 
a  hard  fate  for  a  ship  so  beautiful  in  model  and 
finish,  built  and  equipped,  as  she  evidently  had 


THE  DROWNED. 


been,  at  anutterdisregardofallexpen.se;  yet  the 
necessity  for  her  destruction  was  apparent,  and 
every  preparation  was  hastily  made. 

The  bodies  of  the  drowned  men  lay  upon  the 
shore  close  by  the  ship,  in  which  they  had  per- 
haps most  hopefully  set  out  from  home ;  and 
one,  just  on  the  edge  of  the  surf,  lay  with  white 
face  exposed  to  the  burning  sun,  and  his  hands 
were  folded  across  his  breast  as  if  in  sleep.  The 
sight  was  a  sad  one,  but  other  scenes  soon  called 
away  all  unpleasant  reflections.  Every  body  was 
now  in  the  boats,  and  the  fires  from  every  part 
of  the  ill-fated  ship  were  again  springing  forth. 
The  new-comer  once 
more    took    position 

with  the  5 ,  and 

opened  fire  of  shot 
and  shell ;  and  soon, 
warped  by  heat  and 
riddled  with  shot,  the 
iron  hull  of  the  block- 
ade-runner lay  before 
us  a  shapeless  wreck. 
One  of  the  poor  fel- 
lows lying  upon  the 
beach  was  discovered 
to  be  still  alive,  and 
occasionally  raised 
himself  weakly  upon 
his  arm  and  waved 
his  handkerchief  for 
help.  He  lay  upon 
the  outline  of  surf, 
and  at  times  the  iov 


724 


HARPEK'S  NEW  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE. 


water  would  break 
completely  over  him. 
What  could  be  done? 
Not  a  boat  in  our 
possession  would  pass 
and  repass  the  rolling 
breakers  to  the  spot 
in  safety,  and  to  cap- 
size was  merely  to 
leave  our  own  men 
in  the  same  pitiable 
condition.  He  was 
too  weak  to  cling  to  a 
line,  and  no  plan  for 
his  relief  was  deemed 
prudent,  even  though 
the  only  alternative 
was  to  leave  him  to 
die.  The  experience 
with  the  Wild  Day- 
rell    warned    against 

delay ;  and  even  without  it,  the  sudden  appear- 
ance at  this  juncture  of  a  troop  of  rebels  upon 
a  distant  road,  casting  up  clouds  of  dust  as  they 
dashed  along,  decided  the  apparently  dreadful 
alternative  to  be  as  justifiable  as  necessary. 

Leaving  the  F ■  still  at  anchor,  once  more 

was  the  S '.s  prow  turned  seaward. 

The  prisoner  we  had  taken  stated  that,  in  the 
case  of  the  Nuffield,  owners  and  crew  had  been 
most  sanguine  of  making  many  a  successful  trip, 
and  that  her  cargo  was  valued  at  half  a  million 
of  dollars.     During  her  flight  from  the  S 


several  rifled  guns  and  tons  of  lead  had  been 
thrown  overboard,  as  well  as  the  cases  that  had 
floated  past  us.  Our  prisoner,  too,  showed  pret- 
ty conclusively  by  his  conversation  that  his  sym- 
pathies were  with  our  enemies,  and  gratitude 
for  saving  his  life  seemed  to  be  the  last  and  least 
of  all  his  thoughts.  Opportunity  soon  occurred 
of  transferring  him  to  a  prison  on  shore,  for  a  few 
days  virtually  ended  the  cruise  on  the  outer  block- 
ade. Upon  returning  to  Beaufort  for  coal  orders 
were  found  awaiting  us  to  the  Sounds  of  North 
Carolina,  and,  as  the  event  proved,  to  battle. 


FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


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